Milford Sound

Tourists who visit New Zealand should not miss the spectacular Milford Sound. This beautiful fjord is one of the most visited tourist destinations in the country and was even named the best place to visit in the whole world by TripAdvisor in 2008.

Breathtaking Scenery

The Milford Sound fjord is found in the southwestern part of the South Island of New Zealand. It is part of the Fjordland National Park and stretches 15 kilometre inland from the Tasmanian Sea. All the peaks surrounding the fjord makes it all come together in a breathtaking view. Some of the biggest and most spectacular peaks surrounding the fjord include The Elephant (1,517 meters) and The Lion (1,302 meters). Two waterfalls; Stirling Falls and Lady Bowen Falls, also drop into the fjord. Milford Sound is blessed with a rich biodiversity. Tourists visiting the fjord can enjoy seeing species such as penguins, bottlenose dolphins, seals, and whales.

Tourism Infrastructure

Close to one million tourists visit Milford Sounds annually. This is impressive, taking into account its remote location, that can make it somewhat difficult to make the journey to see this natural wonder. A visitors’ centre has been built to accommodate tourists, and the centre also functions as a port for many sightseeing boats that visitors can join to get a closer look of the fjord. Some tourists will, however, choose a mode of transportation that brings them closer to nature, such as canoeing and other water sports. Some companies offer longer trips, where the tourists can spend the night at sea.

For tourists looking for a little extra excitement, the Milford Discovery Centre and Underwater Observatory is highly recommended. It is located in the northern part of the fjord, in Harrison Cove. The observatory allow the tourists have a closer look at the marine life of the fjord, at about 10 meters depth.